TRAVEL IN A NUTSHELL
This trip will take you to the biggest highlights of Thailand and offer the right combination of excursions and your own time. According to COUNTRYAAH.COM, Thailand is a country located in southeastern Asia.
The journey begins in the fascinating capital of the country, Bangkok, whose streets are teeming with charming temples and modern skyscrapers. From Bangkok, the journey continues west towards Kanchanabur and the Kwai River, where you will learn about Thailand’s World War II history. Instead of regular hotels, accommodation takes place here in a slightly more special setting, namely in a luxurious luxury tent and a floating fleet in the heart of lush nature. After spending a few interesting days in Kanchanaburi, it’s time to return to Bangkok, where you’ll embark on an exciting mini-cruise along the Chao Phraya River all the way to Nonthaburi. On the river bank rise the capital’s most important temples, the beauty of which comes into its own when viewed from the river. A little further north you will find the historic Ayutthaya, whose relaxed atmosphere and impressive temple ruins will enchant anyone. The journey culminates in the northern mountain town of Chiang Mai, where you will admire beautiful temples and make acquaintances with the happy elephants at ChangChill Elephant Center. Elephants are cared for here with love, as ChangChill was established with the support of the World Animal Protection Organization.
If you prefer, you can continue your trip on a relaxing beach holiday either in mainland Thailand or in one of Thailand’s many exotic island destinations.
DAY 1: Departure from the selected airport
Today you are flying to Thailand via stopover (s)
DAY 2: Arrival in Bangkok – Welcome event
After a long flight, you will land in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, go through an entry check and pick up your suitcase. In the Arrivals Hall you will be greeted by a guide to the Asia Travel sign, and you will drive together a short distance to your hotel in the city center.
In the afternoon, the hotel will host a welcome event during which the guide will tell you more about Thailand and give tips on how a tourist should operate in the country and what to consider. He will also answer any questions and go through the itinerary with you. This is followed by a short walk to the surrounding area and a guide to show you where to find ATMs, pharmacies, good places to eat, etc. Finally, enjoy a welcome drink at the hotel’s rooftop bar, which offers breathtaking views over Bangkok at sunset.
After the information session, hunger will surely start to announce itself. You can enjoy dinner at the hotel or set out in search of a good place to eat on the city’s lively streets. You should pay attention to the tips in this guide! For the taste traveler, there is plenty to choose from in Bangkok: the exotic delicious aromas of street kitchens floating in the tropical air make your stomach churn, and gastronomers are guaranteed to find their favorites in modern fusion restaurants that sovereignly blend traditional Thai flavors with Western trends.
After dinner, you can still take a short walk before retiring to the night tree.
DAY 3: Bangkok
You wake up in the hectic, colorful and fascinating capital of Thailand, which is home to about 12 million people.
There is no program planned today, so you can spend the day the way you want and explore the city of a million at your own pace. You can also book one of our interesting additional tours, which you can read more about below.
When touring Bangkok, you don’t have to worry about the city’s notoriously busy traffic, as in addition to buses, subsidies and taxis, there is plenty of choice of means of transport. Popular river taxis make up a significant part of the city’s public transport, as their piers are close to the main attractions. Surrounded by apartment buildings and skyscrapers, the meandering Sky Train is also a good option. You can get there by train quickly, comfortably and cheaply.
The 372 km long Chao Phraya River, which flows through Bangkok, divides the city into eastern and western parts. The city center is located on the east side of the city, where the popular Silom and Sukhumvit Districts, among others, offer shopping malls, markets, eateries and stunning roof terraces.
To the east is also Bangkok’s historic district, with attractions including the glorious Royal Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo, or Temple of the Emerald Buddha. After driving a few miles east, you arrive at Jim Thompson’s house. Jim Thompson was an American businessman who, after World War II, played a significant role in reviving the Thai silk trade. For this good he was named Knight of the Order of the White Elephant. In 1958, Thompson built an incredibly beautiful teak house, which today serves as a museum and monument to the silkworm. Thompson disappeared into the cadres while on vacation in the Malaysian highlands in 1967.
Wandering the tropical climate of Bangkok and the hustle and bustle of traffic, one can sometimes crave a little break in a calmer and greener landscape. Then you should head to Lumpini or Benjakitt parks or Bang Krachao, often referred to as the “Bangkok Jungle”. Even in the city’s green oasis, time seems to stand still.
On the west side of the Chao Phraya River, the adventurer is greeted by a different Bangkok, where skyscrapers or laboring supporters are barely visible. In more authentic Bangkok, houses along a labyrinth of canals are built on stilts, and the post office transports letters by boat.
The best place to enjoy refreshing drinks and admire the colors of the sunset is on the Skybar roof terrace, which is especially plentiful in Bangkok. One of the best is Lebua Sky Bar, also known from the movie Terrible Kankkunen 2. Please note that dress codes must be followed here.
Afterwards, head to the neon-colored China Town and order a portion of giant shrimp for dinner or knock out the shops at the Asiatique open-air shopping mall. In addition to boutiques, Asiatique also has a good selection of restaurants and a wide range of entertainment.
If, on the other hand, a quiet evening sounds more pleasant after a busy day, you can enjoy a nightcap on the terrace of Hotel Mandarin Oriental, which rises on Chao Phraya Beach. Order a cold Chang beer or a glass of wine and watch the boats sail on the river under the illuminated skyscrapers.
Whatever you decide to do, your day is guaranteed to be memorable.
DAY 4: Bangkok – Kanchanaburi – Kwai River
This morning begins with an exciting excursion that will take you over three days and two nights to the River Kwai, the city of Kanchanaburi and the vast jungle that surrounds them.
You will be picked up from the hotel early in the morning to avoid the worst traffic jams on departure from Bangkok. If you do not wish to take all your luggage with you, you can leave part of the storage at the hotel until you return to Bangkok. All the stuff you need over the next two nights will probably fit in one backpack.
From Bangkok, the journey takes you directly to Kanchanaburi and the Kwai River. During World War II, a railway was built here from Thailand to Myanmar under inhumane conditions at the expense of enormous suffering. It took 18 months to build a track more than 400 kilometers long, and between 1942 and 1943, the construction work killed about 100,000 Asian forced laborers and about 12,500 Allied prisoners of war. Author Pierre Boulle told the story of the track builders in his novel The Bridge of the River Kwai, on the basis of which a film of the same name, which has become a classic, was later filmed.
Arriving in Kanchanaburi, they will visit the Death Railway Museum to learn about the terrifying history of the track. Here you can see, among other things, old train carriages, historical reconstructions and original drawings, letters and photographs. The war cemetery opposite the museum is the last resting place for nearly 7,000 prisoners of war. Next, continue to the legendary Kwai River Bridge, which was part of the Death Railway. The first bridge was completed in 1943, but collapsed after only a couple of months. In the same year, a new, more sturdy bridge was erected, which in turn was destroyed in the bombing a couple of years later. After the war, the bridge was restored.
Around noon you will reach the property, Hintok River Camp, and after check-in it will be lunch.
In the afternoon, drive to the Hellfire Pass, which was one of the toughest sections of track for builders as the route went through a rock cut. The work was sprayed around the clock, and therefore at night the area was illuminated with bright torches. This is why the gorge got its name – the torches reminded the drillers of the flames of hell. From Hellfire Pass, walk to Hintok Station. In the vicinity of the station it is interesting to walk and watch the monuments.
From Hintok Station, you can get a ride back to Hintok River Camp, after which you can tour the surrounding areas on your own or try optional activities if you wish. For example, you can cycle to a nearby weaving village or farm.
DAY 5: River Kwai
Today you wake up early in the morning to the sounds of the jungle and the rustle of the river. The day begins with a bike ride across the suspension bridge to the temple, where alms are given to monks dressed in orange robes. A morning bike ride is a fun and memorable experience! From the temple, cycle back to Hintok River Camp, where a hearty and tasty breakfast awaits.
After breakfast and check-out, board a long-tail boat sailing along the Kwai River towards River Kwai Jungle Rafts. Jungle Rafts is a hotel or “fleet” built on a floating ferry. The scenery is incredibly green and lush – in many places you can see 20-foot-tall bamboos with bases sometimes thigh-thick.
Afternoon is free time. The hotel organizes various activities at an additional cost, such as canoeing and rafting trips. Alternatively, you can spend the afternoon relaxing with a good book, for example.
After dinner, guests will be entertained by a 45-minute traditional mon dance performance.
DAY 6: Kanchanaburi – Bangkok
Morning and morning are free time before check-out. At noon, depart for the waters and boats to the local restaurant for lunch. After lunch, it is time for a train ride on the Death Railway on a historic train. The train runs part of the way along elevated track structures, allowing you to enjoy great scenery and views of the River Kwai.
After the train ride, drive back to Bangkok, where you will reach in the evening. Tonight, you can once again enjoy the pulse of Bangkok before the journey continues the next morning to the north.